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Bike regulations for the Long Island Rail Road

Updated Oct 3, 2024
Here are rules for taking your bike on LIRR trains.

Personal Electronic Vehicles

If you have a Personal Electronic Vehicle (PEV), the MTA's PEV policy applies.
Read the PEV policy.

Bikes are defined as single-seat, human-powered, two-wheeled vehicles, with a wheel diameter not in excess of 27 inches and maximum dimensions of 80 inches long and 48 inches high. Larger bikes, as well as tandem, motorized, or training-wheeled bicycles, tricycles, or bicycles with any protrusions that could cause injury or damage are not allowed on the Long Island Rail Road. Bikes must be clean and free of excessive dirt and grease at all times. 

Folding bicycles specifically designed to collapse to an assembly not exceeding 32 inches wide may be brought on board all trains and are not subject to the restrictions below. These bikes must be fully folded before boarding and remain folded while onboard. They may not be placed on seats and must not block aisles or vestibules. 

Walk, do not ride, your bike on platforms and in stations.

Bike restrictions

Cyclists will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, and we cannot promise that space will be available for your bike. Our crews may ban bikes from their trains when it is crowded or if the train will likely get crowded due to having fewer cars than normal. Consequently, we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed to bring your bike on each train of a trip that involves transfers.

The TrainTime app will show whether any of these restrictions are applicable to your trip. The LIRR reserves the right to designate additional trains where bicycles will not be permitted.

All year

Bikes are not allowed at rush hour:

  • Weekday inbound trains that arrive NYC between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
  • Weekday outbound trains that depart NYC between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

No bikes are allowed on any train on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • St. Patrick’s Day
  • Mother’s Day
  • Memorial Day and the Friday before
  • Independence Day and the Friday before
  • Labor Day and the Friday before
  • Rosh Hashanah Eve
  • Yom Kippur Eve
  • Columbus Day
  • Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, and the day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Eve
  • For holidays not listed above, normal weekday bike rules apply when a weekday schedule is running, and normal weekend bike rules apply when a weekend schedule is running.

Bikes are not allowed on substitute buses (either planned or unplanned)

Bikes are not allowed on special event services, such as at Mets-Willets Point or Elmont-UBS Arena during events.

Summer only rules

Bikes are not allowed on the following trains from the Friday before Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Labor Day:

  • Fridays: Eastbound trains to Montauk departing NYC between 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Saturdays: The 7:54 a.m. train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma and its connecting train to Greenport.
  • Sundays:
    • Montauk Branch westbound trains arriving NYC between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
    • The 4:39 p.m. train from Greenport to Ronkonkoma.
    • The 6:22 p.m. train from Montauk to Penn Station.
  • Mondays: The 7:18 a.m. train from Montauk to Hunterspoint Avenue (in addition to the year-round 6 a.m.-10 a.m. weekday restrictions)

Maximum number of bikes per train

  • Weekdays: 4 bicycles per train: 2 in the first car and 2 two in the last car, unless otherwise directed by the train crew
  • Weekends: 1 bicycle per car; maximum 8 per train, unless otherwise directed by the train crew
    • Certain summer weekend trains are designated as "Bicycle Trains" and may carry up to two bicycles per car. These trains have a bicycle+ symbol on our PDF timetables.

Storing your bike onboard

Storage area varies by car type as follows:

  • Electric Cars: Bicycles must be secured in vestibule areas designated by the train crew.
  • Diesel/Bilevel Cars: Bicycles must be stored on the boarding level, in the benched-seating area.

Bicycles must be kept clear of aisles and doors and not block the movement of other riders. Remain near your bike as our crew or a police officer may ask you to move it. We suggest bringing a cord or chain with you should it be necessary to secure your bike. Kickstands must remain up at all times.

Customers with limited mobility always have priority over bikes for onboard space.

In an emergency, follow the instructions of the train crew and emergency responders. In the event of an evacuation, you may have to leave your bike on board.

Group travel

Bicycle groups that are organizing rides may contact LIRR Group Travel at 718-217-5477 to reserve space on trains. During the annual "Ride to Montauk," no bicycles will be permitted on the Babylon or Montauk branches. Bicycles must be trucked at the expense of the event or participating individuals.